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We will embrace World Cup challenge

How exciting is it for all Australians that we are playing Spain, Netherlands and Chile at a World Cup to be staged in the spiritual home of football, Brazil.

How exciting is it for all Australians that we are playing Spain, Netherlands and Chile at a World Cup to be staged in the spiritual home of football, Brazil.

Yes it-s a tough group. Yes we-re playing the current World Champions Spain. Yes we-re playing the 2010 Runners-up Netherlands. Yes we-re playing a strong South American opponent in Chile.

But, this is the World Cup and we will embrace the challenge head on with the spirit and bravery that are hallmarks of our country and the Australian people.

What we want is to look around and see the country united behind us.

The Socceroos are our National Team. It-s not just the 11 players on the pitch, 23 players in the squad or the wider team staff.

This team belongs to all Australians and now is the time for us all to tackle the tough challenge ahead together.

I-ve been asked numerous times in the last 24 hours what did I feel when we dropped into Spain-s group and then had the Netherlands join us and Chile in Group B.

There were no thoughts of despair, only the excitement that lies ahead.

As Socceroos Head Coach I-m looking at this World Cup as an opportunity. We have a great chance to create some magical moments.

I-m sure the players will share the same thoughts and as the news of our World Cup Draw reverberated around the world I-m sure every single Australian football player is equally excited by the challenge ahead.

That challenge starts today.

For myself and the Socceroos staff the task is now to ensure we prepare with purpose and precision to create a world-s best environment for the team so that when we arrive in Brazil there is a platform set.

The challenge for the players is to make sure they are playing regular football and showing form that gives them a seat on the plane and a chance to create some history in Brazil.

It-s going to be an amazing journey and we want all Australians united together as we take on the world-s best nations in the world-s biggest sporting event.